That's plenty time for most, but already yuletide partywear is hitting the rails, with tuxedo shorts -- or whorts to give them their correct title -- cutting a dash.

For the uninitiated, whorts are winter shorts, but high-street brand Karen Millen has given them a party spin by shrinking the tux trousers into glamorous tux shorts (€125), complete with attractive satin turn-up and detail on the waistline.

Continue the 'effortless glamour' approach by teaming the whorts with a tailored 'bellboy' jacket in winter white (€250); and for devilment add a spidery-lace top (€125) and killer heels. Not your usual kind of party outfit, but one guaranteed to get you noticed. The same can be said for the embellished eveningwear that Karen Millen previewed in Dublin yesterday.

The September ivy gleamed in all its autumnal glory, but models Baiba and Sarah fastforwarded us to December with a selection of Christmas satin frocks and separates. The gothic ruffle dress in ivory (€250) featured a basque top with elaborate seam detail and a flirty 3D skirt with apron-style, circular ruffles that will create some drama on the dance floor.

Add the matching satin sandals (€160), and to keep you warm between clubs, a Biggles-style flying jacket with fleecy lining -- extremely huggable at €495.

The 'snow-leopard' belted coat is an easy-on-the-eye blend of silver/cream tones in a super soft, velvet-like faux pony fur. Expensive at €450, this is real gift-to-self pressie -- as are the tightly fitting thigh-high boots in mushroom suede (€450).

The Tyrone-born designer worked her quirky, individual take on contemporary luxury with decadent, sheer black lace.

It has been 12 years since Sharon launched her label specialising in 'alternative fashion'. Last January, the St Martins graduate was named creative director at Edun, Ali Hewson's ethical clothing range.

Festival

Meanwhile, the inaugural Dublin Festival of Fashion kicks off today with three days of free events. The first catwalk show takes place on Henry Street at 1.30pm and there's another on Grafton Street at 2.30pm. There will then be four shows daily on Saturday and Sunday -- at 1.30pm and 3.30pm on Henry Street and 2.30pm and 4.30pm on Grafton Street.

Jules Fallon of First Option model agency said: "I have been working in the industry for 25 years and at last we have free fashion shows on the streets of Dublin. It promises to be a weekend of fashion and fun; and among the models taking part will be mother and daughter, Gillian and Aisling Quinn."